2012 NFL Free Agents: Why Marshawn Lynch Is the Best Player on the Market

There are a number of big-name players who are technically unrestricted free agents when the NFL season comes to a close, but it's not realistic to assume that New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees or New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker have any chance to end up on the open market.

So when thinking of who the top unrestricted free agent of 2012 is, it's important to consider which players their current teams are willing to part with. And upon examination, it's Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch who has the most value of any free agent this year.

Though the Seahawks might choose to put the franchise tag on the explosive runner, which would give him an $8 million payday in 2012, he may find himself entertaining some seriously spendy offers before they get that chance.

Not many teams have a true No. 1 running back, and even those that do likely don't have one as talented as Lynch. In 2011, he had the best season of his five-year career, rushing 285 times for 1,204 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also caught 28 passes for 212 yards and an additional score.

Lynch is great at making defenders miss, and even when he appears to be wrapped up by a pile of them, he's able to break free, making what could have been a two-yard loss into a 12-yard gain.

He's also a high-energy player who seems to have passion for the game, and though he's 25 years old, it doesn't appear his best years are at all behind him.

If Lynch does hit the market in March, he won't likely command the kind of paycheck the Tennessee Titans' Chris Johnson netted at the beginning of the 2011 season, but it's doubtful he's on the hunt for that kind of money anyway.

It would serve the Seahawks well to retain him, even if they need to use the franchise tag to do so. But if he's able to entertain offers, don't be surprised if a bidding war breaks out for the services of the most bruising and dynamic running back available in free agency this year.